Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

What is Polly Lingual?

Polly Lingual is a multi-faceted learning platform for studying foreign languages.

We understand acquiring a foreign language is a complex task, with different learning techniques suited for different parts of the experience. Our interactive lessons provide students with rote exercises to master foundational vocabulary and grammar, while Polly Ambassadors bring students all the way to fluency through video tutoring.

The interactive lessons use a variety of proven algorithms to make learning efficient and engaging. To gain access to all the lessons and advanced features requires a Polly Passport, our all inclusive subscription model.

Polly Ambassadors are available for private video sessions to help student with pronunciation, practice conversation, learn local dialects, and more. Videos sessions are sold separately, or by 5- and 10-session bundles, depending on the Ambassador. Some Ambassadors even offer 30-minute trial lessons.

Is it free to sign up?

Basic membership is free. With it you can keep track of your lesson progress and contact Ambassadors.

Access premium lessons, as well as advanced features like review lists and bookmarked words, requires a Polly Passport subscription.

My camera and microphone don't appear to be working. How can I troubleshoot them?

Various features in our apps require a camera and microphone to work properly. When prompted to grant this permission please choose allow.

In the case that your camera or microphone don't work properly, please see the links below for specific instructions on how to troubleshoot your set-up:

Chrome
Use your camera and microphone in Chrome

FireFox
Please review your browser permissions to make sure https://pollylingu.al has been granted access.

iOS
From the homescreen go Settings > Privacy > Camera and ensure you have allowed Polly Lingual to access your camera.

Safari for Mac OS X and IE for Windows
These browsers require 3rd party WebRTC plugins to access the camera functionality.

Safari for iOS
Currently there is no WebRTC support for web browsers on iOS. However the native PollyLingual for iOS app has full support.

How do I reset my password?

You can reset your password with the Lost Password form.

Polly Passport

What is a Polly Passport?

The Polly Passport is a subscription to the premium lessons and advanced features on Polly Lingual.

With it students can access premium lessons for all languages and courses, as well as the bookmarked words feature, review list, and verb tenses (for supported languages). It also provides an advertisement-free experience.

How much does it cost?

The Polly Passport subscription is available at two different price tiers, $2.99 USD per month and $9.99 USD per year.

Both options are auto-renewing, and if cancelled will last until the end of the pay period.

Will advertisements be removed with the Passport?

Yes, students who subscribe to the Polly Passport enjoy an advertisement-free learning experience.

I have a Pangaea Passport. Is that the same as a Polly Passport?

Yes, when we combined Qué Onda Spanish, Très Bien French, Salaam Arabic, Molto Bene Italian, Wie Geht's German, Ma Kore Hebrew, and the other Pangaea Passport apps into Polly Lingual we also changed the name of the subscription. Your Pangaea Passport will work on Polly Lingual the same as with the previous apps.

How do I cancel my subscription?

We understand that sometimes students want to cancel their subscription or put it on hiatus. We make it easy to do this by providing the option in the Settings page for subscriptions purchased through the web and Android app.

If you've subscribed through an iOS in-app purchase, you can manage your subscription through the iTunes App Store.

Once a subscription is cancelled access will still be granted until the end of the pay period.

Polly Ambassadors (for students)

What are Polly Ambassadors?

Polly Ambassadors are language instructors available for live video sessions.

The only way to fluency is by interacting with native speakers. Polly Ambassadors offer that experience over the Internet.

Students can arrange for particular lessons with Ambassadors. Common topics include pronunciation, conversation practice, and local dialects.

How do I book a lesson with an Ambassador?

You can book a lesson with a Polly Ambassador by selecting hours on the calendar on to their profile. Once you've found a convenient date and time, click the "Purchase Sessions" button to enter your payment information.

Once you've completed your payment you'll receive an email receipt. The Ambassadors will also then be able to confirm the sessions.

How does the Polly Ambassador video tutoring experience differ from other sites?

Within our video chat module we offer collaborative learning tools that allow students and Ambassadors to engage in ways not available with other sites.

How do I rate a lesson I’ve just had?

Once you've completed a lesson, you can leave feedback and rate it by going to your video session archive. Simply find the completed video session and let the Ambassador know how they did.

I had technical problems and missed a class, what should I do?

While our Ambassadors cannot be held responsible for technical difficulties on the part on students, most of them are understanding and dedicated to building a long term relationship with their students. If you missed a session due to technical malfunctions, the first thing you should do is contact your Ambassador and explain the situation.

To avoid having issues, review the technology requirements before purchasing a video session to ensure your set-up works properly with it. The basic requirements are 1) a webcam 2) broadband internet access and 3) a WebRTC-enabled web browser such as Chrome or Firefox (sorry, Safari isn't supported at this time) or the Polly Lingual app for iOS.

If the technical difficulties were due to malfunctions on the part of Polly Lingual - such as server errors - a refund will be issued.

How do I cancel a lesson?

You can cancel a video session anytime before the class begins. We suggest communicating with the Ambassador beforehand to avoid any confusion.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before the session begins you will be given a 50% refund in the form of credit. Otherwise, you will be given a 100% refund credited to your account which can be used towards reserving a session with another Ambassador.

You might also consider "rescheduling" the session. This will grant you a voucher for another session (regardless of promotional pricing) with the Ambassador.

What happens if I miss a class?

The first you should do is contact the Ambassador to explain why you missed the video session.

Ambassadors are paid for video sessions you miss without notice. However, depending on the circumstances, such as unavoidable delays, they can chose the reschedule the video session.

Most Ambassadors understand the long-term nature of a student-teacher relationship and are willing to make accommodations for infrequent inconveniences.

How do I get in touch with the Ambassador?

As a registered student you can send messages to all Ambassadors.

While not required, it is best to contact an Ambassador before beginning a video sessions to introduce yourself, discuss your needs, and make any additional arrangements, such as a reading list.

Are video sessions listed in my time zone?

Video sessions are list in the time zone based on your computer's settings. To verify the time zone, the UTC offset if displayed in the upper-left corner of your calendar.

Polly Ambassadors (for teachers)

What are Polly Ambassadors?

Polly Ambassadors are language instructors available for live video sessions.

The only way to fluency is by interacting with native speakers. Polly Ambassadors offer that experience over the Internet.

Students can arrange for particular lessons with Ambassadors. Common topics include pronunciation, conversation practice, and local dialects.

How do I become a Polly Ambassador?

You can start by filling out the application form.

What qualifications do I need?

What we’re looking for is equal parts passion and knowledge! While we prefer candidates with teaching experience, if you have extensive understanding of your language’s grammar and intricacies, and can easily pass it on, then you’re more than welcome to apply.

How much does it pay?

Ambassadors set their own hourly rates. The decision to offer 30-minute trial lessons and discounted prices for 5- and 10-session bundles is also an individual choice.

No matter what rates are chosen, Ambassadors receive 85% of the proceeds.

How do I get paid?

Currently, we only offer payment through PayPal.

When do I get paid?

Payments are made by request. Funds are made available for withdrawal seven business days after the completion of corresponding video sessions.

What sort of technology do I need?

You will need a WebCam and audio headset. Currently our live-video services are only available through Chrome and Firefox.

What if I don't have much teaching experience?

Within our video chat module we offer collaborative learning tools (based on our interactive lessons) that enable even inexperienced tutors to offer our students a rewarding experience.

Of course we expect tutors with less experience to set their rate accordingly.

What happens if I miss a video session?

If you miss a class the first thing you should is contact the student to apologize and explain the circumstances.

Depending on the situation, such as if you missed the class for unavoidable delays, arrangements can be with the student to reschedule the video session. Otherwise the student will be issued a full refund.

Google Classroom

Does Polly Lingual work with Google Classroom?

Yes, Polly Lingual works with Google Classroom. Teachers can import their class rosters, then assign lessons from Polly Lingual to students as course work in Google Classroom. When students complete those lessons, their status is automatically synced with Google Classroom. This makes it super easy manage homework or other independent practice activities.

If you still have questions or other feedback, please contact us.



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